DAVIS, CA - Nugget Markets is yet again celebrating its distinction as one of Fortune’s Best Large Workplaces in Retail. Ranked No. 8 for 2024, the family-owned retailer continues to uphold company values by supporting its workforce.

“This company truly cares about its people. We're not just employees, we're family,” said one associate in an anonymous survey used to determine the retailer’s ranking. “They go out of their way to make work fun and show constant gratitude and appreciation! From having weekly appreciation rallies to many parties and trips throughout the year!”

Nugget Markets has remained dedicated to taking care of its associates, guests, and communities for nearly a century. This includes providing industry-leading benefits like a zero-premium health plan and 401(k) retirement options, as well as creating opportunities for fun within its workplace—did someone say whitewater rafting and snowboarding trips?

“We’re truly honored to be recognized, since being a World-Class Employer is at the heart of what we do. In fact, it’s one of our three Company Goals,” the retailer stated in its recent announcement. “We couldn’t be more grateful for our amazing team who makes everything we do possible!”

Congrats to Nugget Markets on this well-deserved recognition! Leave a tab open as ANUK continues to provide updates on this retailer and more.

LOCKPORT, NY - Consumers will soon be delighted to find another vibrant, crisp, and flavorful apple variety in the produce department as Crunch Time Apple Growers initiates this year’s SnapDragon™ harvest.

“We’re looking forward to bringing SnapDragon apples back to an ever-growing list of retailers,” said Jessica Wells, Executive Director, Crunch Time Apple Growers. “Thanks to additional acreage reaching maturity, this year’s harvest is up by 20 percent. We hope that means more people than ever before can experience the Monster Crunch of SnapDragon apples! We look forward to working with new retailers to bring SnapDragon apples to their customers this season!”

SnapDragon apples will arrive at a roster of retailers, including both longtime sellers of the variety and newcomers, a press release explained. These retail partners include Aldi, BJ’s, Food Lion, The Fresh Market, Harris Teeter, H-E-B, Lowes, Publix, Shaw’s, ShopRite, Sprouts, Target, Tops, Walmart, Wegmans, and Whole Foods Market, along with local farm markets in New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

In addition to this year’s increased harvest volume, many producers within Crunch Time’s network of 150 family growers across New York State have reported nicely developing color for the apples as well as larger sizes. An early spring led the trees to bloom and the fruit to set earlier than last year, driving an early harvest this season.

While just having this variety on the shelf is enough to drive demand, Crunch Time is employing a variety of strategies to maximize register rings for this year’s SnapDragon crop. This includes updated point-of-sale materials, market-specific advertising, social media promotions, the development of new recipes meant for SnapDragon apples, and more. The variety is also the Official Apple of the Buffalo Bills for the third year, making SnapDragon apples present at Bills home games.

For more ways to harness success in the apple category, be on the lookout for more updates from ANUK.

SPRINGFIELD, NJ - A recent executive change has come down the newswire from Village Super Market, revealing that Robert Sumas is set to step down as Chief Executive Officer and interim Chairman of the Board of Directors on December 13, 2024. Following Sumas’ departure, the retailer plans to appoint John J. Sumas as its new Chief Executive Officer and Nicholas Sumas as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Stepping in as CEO on December 13, 2024, John J. Sumas has served as a Director of Village Super Market since 2009 and has been a Co-President since 2018. According to a press release, he has held a diversity of supervisory positions including Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel, and Vice President.

Having also served as a Director since 2009 and Co-President since 2018, Nicholas Sumas has held various supervisory positions since his employment in 1994, including Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President. In addition to his role with Village Super Market, Nicholas is also an executive officer of Wakefern Food Corp. and a member of the Wakefern Board of Directors.

Both of the newly appointed leaders will help drive growth for Village Super Market’s footprint, which consists of Village Super Market 34 locations under the ShopRite and Fairway names in New Jersey, Maryland, New York, and eastern Pennsylvania, in addition to three specialty markets in New York City under the Gourmet Garage banner.

Ahead of the transition, Robert Sumas will remain employed by the company as a Senior Advisor to the executive team to ensure a smooth transition of duties, and he plans to continue to serve the company as a member of its Board of Directors.

With a tenure that dates back to 1969, Robert was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2017 and served as President from 2009 through 2018.

The Village Super Market Board of Directors also announced that it will not fill the vacancy resulting from the passing of Board member William Sumas on July 11, 2024, reducing the number of members on the Board of Directors from 10 to nine.

For more updates on this evolving executive structure, keep reading ANUK.

PHOENIX, AZ - Sprouts Farmers Market is implementing health-focused strategies in local communities. Most recently, the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation awarded $4 million to elementary schools and nonprofit agencies focused on nutrition, health, and wellness. Sprouts Team Members in all 423 Sprouts locations nationwide presented live checks to the local organizations in a coordinated same-day event.

“Many of the organizations that received support from our Foundation were nominated by our store Team Members, bringing our value of caring for our communities to life in a very real way,” said Jack Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer.

The donations presented in-store are part of the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation’s annual grants program, a press release stated. Grants are funded in part by donations collected from customers during the checkout process, where shoppers are given the opportunity to round up their purchases to support local children’s nutrition education programs.

Each of the grants will provide organizations with $5,000 to $10,000 in funding. The grant categories include:

• Sprouting School Gardens - Funding for new or existing school-based gardening programs that provide students with hands-on learning opportunities that bring nutrition education to life for students
• Growing Healthy Kids - Funding for community-based programs focused on children’s nutrition access, nutrition education, and health and wellness
• Wellness Across the Lifespan - Funding for community-based programs focused on adult health and wellness

“We are thrilled to partner with so many incredible grassroots organizations and schools that share our commitment to helping children and adults live healthier lives,” said Lyndsey Waugh, Executive Director of the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation.

Since 2015, the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation has awarded over $25 million in grants to organizations working on the front lines of nutrition education and wellness. An estimated 3 million children participate in programs supported by the foundation each year, and Sprouts expects to more than double its grant programs in the year ahead.

Cheers to Sprouts and this monumental donation!

BEAVERTON, OR - Kwik Lok and Trustwell are combining their expertise in a new partnership. The two companies are collaborating to provide customers with a comprehensive suite of tools that ensure product safety and regulatory compliance for FSMA and Sunrise 2027.

"We are thrilled to partner with Trustwell to deliver enhanced value to our customers," said Chris Latta, New Business Development Director at Kwik Lok. "Together, we can provide a comprehensive solution that addresses the critical needs of the food industry in a cost-effective way that build consumer trust."

According to a press release, combining Kwik Lok's closure labels with the advanced data capabilities of Trustwell's FoodLogiQ Traceability software offers a more robust solution for food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.

As the companies went on to note, key benefits of this partnership include end-to-end visibility, as companies gain complete visibility into their supply chain; efficient recall management, for companies are able to reduce the time and costs associated with recalls by using a two-dimensional code on a Kwik Lok closure label along with Trustwell's streamlined data processes; and expert support, since users will benefit from Kwik Lok's and Trustwell's team of experts to guidance and support.

"We are excited and proud to partner with Kwik Lok on one of the most impactful traceability efforts to move the industry forward," Katy Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Trustwell said. "At Trustwell, we envision a future where traceability data can be leveraged at every point along the farm-to-fork journey to build safer, more sustainable food supply chains, meet modern traceability requirements, and provide consumers with the information they need to feed their families. We see this partnership as an ideal opportunity to bring Trustwell's data-forward approach and industry-leading FoodLogiQ Traceability software together with Kwik Lok's established track record for innovation, moving one step closer to that future."

Additional benefits to the partnership for businesses include:

• Scan to Enhance Product Safety
• Streamline Tracing and Simpler Regulatory Compliance
• Build Consumer Trust
• Expand Marketing and Branding

For more information, click here.

AndNowUKnow has got you covered on the latest in fresh partnerships, so stay tuned.

SAN JOSE, CA - Not only does the International Fresh Produce Association's (IFPA) upcoming Global Produce & Floral Show provide the opportunity for exploring new innovations, relationships, and industry trends—but now the event is providing an avenue for exclusive cybersecurity insights as well. IT and cybersecurity leader ZAG Technical Services is taking to the trade show to provide vital support to the ag sector, offering free Cyber Insights Reports.

“We’re excited to offer this level of insight to businesses that may not otherwise have access to such critical information,” said Greg Gatzke, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of ZAG.

A total of 50 Cyber Insights Reports—each valued at $600—will be given away during the show, representing a crucial $30,000 contribution toward strengthening the digital resilience of ag businesses.

As a press release detailed, these insightful reports help ag businesses understand their current cybersecurity posture, identify vulnerabilities, and offer actionable steps for protection against rising threats. In addition, the company will also be hosting “Ask ZAG Anything” (AZA) sessions at its booth, allowing attendees to learn more about Syncrova™—ZAG’s solution for the leading Ag ERP—and get direct IT, data, analytics, and cybersecurity advice from ZAG’s experts like Gatzke, Director of Business Development Daryl Beck, and Client Strategist Clint Cooper.

The AZA sessions will take place at ZAG’s booth, C1115, on the following dates:

• Friday, October 18, 1-2 p.m.
• Saturday, October 19, 1-2 p.m.

With this free opportunity to safeguard your ag business, you definitely don’t want to miss this stop on the show floor!

For more show updates and insights, stick around.

CORAL GABLES, FL - Say hello to Del Monte® On-the-Go Oats! Fresh Del Monte Produce North America recently pulled back the curtain on an all-new breakfast line, introducing unique breakfast meals that tap into the rising trend of overnight oats paired with fresh-cut fruit.

Three gourmet-inspired flavor varieties make up the line, pairing 2 oz of fresh-cut fruit with a delicious serving of vanilla yogurt and oats. The new SKUs include Apples & Walnuts; Pineapple, Mango, & Coconut; and Blueberries & Almonds.

As a press release explained, Del Monte On-the-Go Oats are ready-to-eat, appealing to the needs of consumers with busy lifestyles and limited time for preparing nutritious breakfasts while removing the need for time-consuming preparation in traditional overnight oats recipes.

A recent report by JC Market Research unveiled that the overnight oats category is currently projected to grow to $17.8 million in the United States by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 4.4 percent. The new launch taps into this rising demand while also building on Fresh Del Monte Produce’s efforts to make fresh produce consumption easy and enjoyable.

This comes at a key time, as fresh fruit and vegetable intake among Americans is still far below CDC guidelines, with only approximately 1 in 10 U.S. adults meeting the advised fruit intake of 1.5-2 cup-equivalents of fruits and 2-3 cup-equivalents of vegetables daily.

The new products are now shipping to supermarkets, convenience stores, and other retailers throughout North America.

Will we soon see this fun new breakfast lineup on your shelves? Stay tuned to ANUK as we report on the latest industry innovations.